Several North Texas cities are turning to rideshare programs to supplement \u2013 or replace \u2013 public transit.<\/p>\n
The programs work like other rideshare services like Uber or Lyft but are city-funded. Earlier this month, Plano, Addison, Highland Park and Frisco launched their programs in partnership with microtransit company Via.<\/p>\n
Moniah Dailey, communications specialist with the city of Plano, said her city\u2019s new pilot program for seniors 65 and older is performing better than expected just a few weeks after launch.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are kind of ahead of where I think we thought we were going to be,\u201d Dailey told KERA.<\/p>\n
Since it began on May 4, the new service, called Plano Rides, has completed more than 1,500 rides. The new app linked to the service has been downloaded more than 1,300 times.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor this service and it being like a niche demographic, yeah, that’s pretty successful,\u201d Dailey said.<\/p>\n
Currently, the Plano Rides service is free until June 4. After that, it\u2019ll be $3 per ride, which is the average cost for the service in other North Texas cities.<\/p>\n
Microtransit is having a moment in the suburbs of North Texas. As large Dallas-area suburban cities seek to potentially leave the Dallas Area Rapid Transit agency, some government leaders see a service similar to Uber as the replacement.<\/p>\n
The services have launched following months of debate over local public transit. While cities like Plano, Addison and Irving still have Dallas Area Rapid Transit service, the new programs aim to boost local mobility.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t think we see ourselves as fully replacing public transit at all, like we see ourselves as a part, a piece of the puzzle,\u201d said Darrel Matthews, a field manager for Via. \u201cWe’re kind of like a first and last mile connection, as opposed to like a full transit option.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Highland Park, the city\u2019s new rideshare services replace DART after residents there voted earlier this month to leave the system. DART ended its Go-Link and paratransit services as well as the Route 237 bus. One new program \u2013 Highland Park On-Demand \u2013 takes riders anywhere in town within a one-mile radius. Another service, Highland Park Access, replaces DART\u2019s paratransit service with door-to-door transportation for eligible riders with mobility needs.<\/p>\n
Other North Texas cities have tailored their services to the needs of residents, such as Irving\u2019s Connector shuttle, which serves residents along two previously discontinued DART bus routes. The city also has a circulator shuttle called The Loop that transports passengers around the Las Colinas area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe City of Irving is a strong supporter of mass transit,\u201d outgoing Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer said in a statement on the city\u2019s website. \u201cWe are committed to stepping in with solutions that keep our community connected and ensure residents, visitors and commuters can continue to get where they need to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frisco\u2019s GoZone program also launched this month in partnership with the Denton County Transportation Authority and Via.<\/p>\n
In Addison, the newly launched Addison Orbit program is still only in the pilot phase. The city council will discuss at its meeting Tuesday whether the program should continue.<\/p>\n
Pablo Arauz Pe\u00f1a is KERA\u2019s growth and infrastructure reporter. Got a tip? Email Pablo at parauzpena@kera.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n